Race report and photos by Deon vdl Photography
Round 1 of the 2026 season roared to life on Saturday feb the 14th at Formula K, where unpredictable weather only added to the drama. From the smallest machines to the premier classes, every heat delivered intensity, bold overtakes and moments that had spectators eyeballing the racing. It might have been valentines day but there was no love lost between the racers!
It was the kind of race day that reminds you why short circuit racing punches so far above its weight.
PW50
Heat 1
The youngsters had the honour of starting race day. As the flag dropped, the riders ran their bikes off the line. #143 Tsebo Mafokate took an early lead and began to pull away. Mafokate secured the win, with #34 Erik Ferreira finishing second, followed by the newest rider on the grid, #550 Elaine Opperman, in third.
Heat 2
Mafokate again launched strongly and led into the first bend. He maintained his pace all the way to the chequered flag to take another victory. Ferreira crossed in second, with Opperman third.
Heat 3
Mafokate was determined to make it a clean sweep. He stormed off the line and rode a faultless race to claim his third win. Ferreira added another second place finish, while Opperman secured third.
Overall Results.
1st #143 Tsebo Mafokate
2nd #34 Erik Ferreira
3rd #550 Elaine Opperman
SM Junior 65cc
Heat 1
On the front row were #1 Ethan de Freitas, #550 Marnitz Otten and #17 Liam Bronkhorst. Otten immediately took the lead, but teammate de Freitas kept the pressure on. Behind them, #27 Kiros Taliotes and Bronkhorst battled hard for third. Otten narrowly claimed victory, crossing just 0.088 seconds ahead of de Freitas, with Taliotes third.
Heat 2
Otten grabbed another holeshot, with de Freitas and Taliotes right behind. The trio put on an excellent show, with Otten edging out de Freitas at the flag. Taliotes again finished third.
Heat 3
Otten led early, but de Freitas closed rapidly and briefly took the lead. On the final lap he lost the rear and crashed, managing to remount and finish fourth. Otten secured the win, Taliotes took second and Bronkhorst third.
Overall Results.
1st #550 Marnitz Otten
2nd #1 Ethan de Freitas
3rd #27 Kiros Taliotes
150cc Juniors & Seniors (Combined)
Heat 1
Both classes lined up with #22 Cayden Robert absent. #41 Jason van Breda led into turn one, but by lap three #13 Ryan van Nieuwkerk had taken control. The race featured tight battles throughout the field. Van Nieuwkerk claimed victory ahead of van Breda, with #99 Adam Naidoo third.
Heat 2
A first-lap red flag followed brake failure on Naidoo’s machine, which resulted in contact with #69 Tyler Morgan. Both riders went down and Morgan’s race day ended due to damage. After the restart, van Nieuwkerk again won, van Breda finished second, and #57 Diego de Ponte took third.
Heat 3
Van Nieuwkerk, van Breda and de Ponte fought intensely for the lead. On the final lap de Ponte attempted an inside pass, made contact, and van Breda capitalised to slip through. Van Breda won in a dramatic finish, van Nieuwkerk second, de Ponte third.
Overall Results
150cc Juniors.
1st #40 Lorenzo de Ponte
2nd #22 Blake Robert
3rd #13 Lungisile Tom
150cc Seniors.
1st #13 Ryan van Nieuwkerk
2nd #41 Jason van Breda
3rd #57 Diego de Ponte
Clubmans 2
Heat 1
#43 Augustin Ntwari led early and steadily pulled clear to win. #60 Martyn Parry finished second and #71 Ryno Botha third.
Heat 2
Botha received a 10-second penalty for a false start. Ntwari’s pace proved untouchable as he secured another win, followed by Parry and Botha.
Heat 3
Botha and Ntwari battled fiercely for victory. At the line, Botha just edged the win, with Ntwari second and Parry third.
Overall Results.
1st #43 Augustin Ntwari
2nd #71 Ryno Botha
3rd #60 Martyn Parry
Super 600
Heat 1
The new class debuted with four bikes on the grid. #57 Diego de Ponte took control after a side-by-side launch with #27 Triston Potgieter and rode to victory. Potgieter finished second and #33 Aston Nesbitt third.
Heat 2
Potgieter started well, but de Ponte regained the lead and held it to the flag. Potgieter was second, with #12 Simphiwe Mahlobo third.
Heat 3
De Ponte dominated to complete a hat-trick of wins. Potgieter again finished second and Nesbitt third.
Overall Results.
1st #57 Diego de Ponte
2nd #27 Triston Potgieter
3rd #33 Aston Nesbitt
SM Junior 50cc.
Only two riders lined up. #17 Liam Bronkhorst claimed all three wins, with #117 Jack Green stepped up from PW50 and finished second each time.
Overall Results.
1st #17 Liam Bronkhorst
2nd #117 Jack Green
SM1S / SM1 / SM2 / Masters / Grand Masters (Combined)
Heat 1
As the flag dropped, the sound of motards filled the circuit. Van Nieuwkerk led from turn one and controlled the race to win. Nesbitt finished second, with #18 Hunter Dreyer third.
Heat 2
Nesbitt challenged van Nieuwkerk heavily before making contact in the corkscrew and crashing. He rejoined but finished seventh. Van Nieuwkerk took the win ahead of Dreyer and #30 Ruben Weterman.
Heat 3
Van Nieuwkerk again led from the start, pursued by Nesbitt and Dreyer. After several close battles throughout the field, van Nieuwkerk completed a perfect day. Nesbitt finished second and Dreyer third.
Overall Results.
SM1S.
1st #13 Ryan van Nieuwkerk
2nd #18 Hunter Dreyer
3rd #30 Ruben Weterman
SM1.
1st #1 Aston Nesbitt
SM2.
1st #134 Joe Louw
2nd #88 Frank Engelbrecht
3rd #213 Steffan Grandmaison
SM Masters.
1st #183 Werner Linder
2nd #134 Michael Louw
3rd #32 Raube Ferreira
SM Grand Masters.
1st #81 Mark Vermeulen
Girls Development Cup & Clubmans 1
#39 Ajay Venter was the sole Clubmans 1 entrant and secured overall victory.
Heat 1
With the reigning champion absent, the title fight is wide open. #19 Triston Govender took the early lead before #43 Naledi Ntwari moved ahead on lap two. Ntwari won, Govender second, #116 Emma Green third.
Heat 2
Govender grabbed the holeshot, but Ntwari fought back in a close contest. Ntwari won by 0.650 seconds, Govender second, Green third.
Heat 3
Govender again launched well, but Ntwari reclaimed the lead and rode to victory. Govender finished second and Green third.
Overall Results.
Girls Development Cup
1st #43 Naledi Ntwari
2nd #19 Triston Govender
3rd #116 Emma Green
Clubmans 1.
1st #39 Ajay Venter
Round 1 didn’t just open the season, it threw down a marker. Rivalries are forming, confidence is building, and momentum is already shifting. If this opening salvo is anything to go by, the 2026 championship fight will be relentless. The next chapter unfolds on 28 March at Redstar Raceway and expectations are already sky high.
